Grant Holmes of the Atlanta Braves nearly achieved a no-hitter on Thursday, only allowing one hit in a 2-0 victory against the Chicago White Sox. Holmes took the no-hitter into the seventh inning but surrendered a single to Andrew Benintendi, marking the White Sox's only hit of the game against four Braves pitchers. Holmes' strong performance followed a rough outing where he previously allowed six runs in just 3.2 innings. The win broke a three-game losing streak for Atlanta and improved their season record to 75-53.

By the Numbers
  • Grant Holmes pitched 6.1 innings, allowing 1 hit and striking out 9 batters.
  • The Braves' win improved their NL East lead to 5 games over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Yes, But

While Holmes' performance was commendable, he did allow baserunners via walks three times, and the one-hit outing can’t fully erase his previous struggles. His last game against the White Sox was a loss where he yielded 3 runs in 3.2 innings, raising questions about consistency.

State of Play
  • Atlanta snapped a three-game losing streak with this victory.
  • The Braves solidified their position in first place in the NL East, putting distance between themselves and the second-place Phillies.
What's Next

Looking ahead, the Braves will aim to maintain their momentum as they continue their season, with hopes of solidifying their playoff chances. Holmes' performance may lead to more confidence in his role as a starting pitcher.

Bottom Line

Holmes’ near no-hitter not only aids his personal stats but also revitalizes the Braves, potentially serving as a turning point in their quest for postseason success. The team needs to build on this win to improve consistency and secure their division lead.